A.N.-Guys I am so sorry about not adding onto this. I've been buried with school work and band stuff. Thanks so much for staying with this book and all the nice things you guys have been saying. I really appreciate it. I love you all. Any feedback is great. Thanks again. Also, if anyone wants to do fan art of Varian or his peerage, I would absolutely adore that! May Rias-Senpai guide you all!

The Third King of Kuoh Academy

Chapter 16

"Okay Rias, you want to explain to me just why in the hell your other fiancé was in my house and also why I am going to have to fight him?" I asked with anger present in my tone. Riser Phenex just left moments ago and now Rias and I were looking across the foyer at each other. My household and her household were standing all around the large room with confused looks on their faces. They didn't know how to take what just happened and I can't blame them. I acted on impulse so this is technically all my fault. But still…

"Riser has been trying to convince me to marry him for a while. He must have found out I was in this town and tracked my aura to here. I'm very sorry for this Varian. I didn't know any of this would happen." She said quietly. At least she feels bad, that makes me feel a little better. She doesn't make my life a living hell on purpose, so that's nice to know.

"Still, why did I end up getting dragged into a rating game over this? I have no intention of putting my household, the people I love more than anything, in danger over this. It's just unfair!" I replied coldly. I agreed to the rating game, I know that. I also know that there is no way out of it now. Two days huh? Seems fair. Given Riser's power and all.

"Varian I…I don't know. I wish there was an easier way. I didn't want to force it like this." Rias admitted, her voice was still weak and quite. Wonder what's going through her head now. What is she forcing? She can't mean the marriage can she? Even if I win, there is no way that is happening anytime soon, if ever.

"What do you mean?" I asked. I bet the households feel pretty awkward right now. I would too. Standing between a conversation like this. I'm glad Sona had the decency to leave along with Riser. That made things a lot easier for us. But what happens now? How are we gonna beat Riser?

"I didn't want to have to force our relationship. I wanted us to fall in love naturally and then get married." Rias started to walk towards me as she spoke. After the sports tournament she had changed into a somewhat revealing, short white dress. She looked fabulous. No, more than fabulous. She looked undeniable. But…I only wanted to deny her.

"Rias just stop. I am not falling in love with you and I never will. You weren't even on my mind when I agreed to this game. I was protecting my girls from the mess you caused for me, nothing else. I would never fight someone for you…you're not worth it…" I told her, and tried to mutter the last part. Rias stopped dead in her tracks right in front of me. Her face was distraught and shocked. I can only imagine how she feels, but I don't feel bad. Weird…

"Varian…why?" She whispered and I could see tears beginning to swell in her eyes. I don't think I've ever intentionally made a girl cry before. Way to go Varian. Nice one. I could only remain cold and stone faced while Rias shook her head in disbelief. The guy she tried so desperately to be with just turned her down in front of her own household…rough.

"Take it back…" A voice muttered from behind Rias. My eyes looked up curiously as I gazed at the line of servants behind the red head. My peerage seemed calm and, honestly, a little happy to see what I just did. However, Rias's peerage was the exact opposite. Kiba and Akeno looked at us with saddened expressions. Probably because their master was so sad. Asia seemed upset and confused by the whole ordeal, she must not understand at all. Koneko just had her usual stone faced expression but I could see the caring look she was giving Rias. So…whose voice was it? "I said…take it BACK!" The voice screamed.

Issei was on me in a flash. He pushed past Rias and grabbed onto my collar. "BOOSTED GEAR!" He yelled and a green flash emitted from his fist. The red clad glove appeared on his arm as he pulled it back to punch me. He used the new strength the gear gave him to lift me in the air and punch me straight across the face. And I never saw it coming…

"How dare you talk to Rias that way!" Issei screamed and ran at me again. I was sprawled on the ground in shock and didn't get to stand up before Issei grabbed me again and started punching away at my collapsed form. "How could you talk about Rias like that?! She's the most wonderful girl in the world and you were lucky enough to have her fall in love with you! I thought you were a hero but you're really just an asshole!" Issei yelled and continued to punch me.

"Issei…" Rias whispered quietly as she watched in shock as her pawn punched away at the man she wanted to be her lover. "I had no idea." The red head whispered to herself and held a fist over her breast. She felt the same tingling in her chest that she felt when he came back after his first battle. A feeling of admiration and longing…

"Get off him!" Aria screamed and grabbed Issei. She pulled him back and flung him across the foyer. The young boy slammed into the wall and left a spider like crack behind him. However, he shrugged it off like it was nothing as he used the wall to launch himself at the purple haired Rook. He flew through the air, his fist held back, and swung his arm. The red clad gauntlet meet flesh and a flame covered fist.

"I may like you…but you just tried to hit someone I love." I muttered and tightened my grip on Issei's fist. "You're a braver man than I thought Issei Hyoudou." I whispered and pulled the boy towards me before delivering a flame covered fist to his chest.

"Ah!" Issei groaned as he fell out of the air and landed on the cold foyer floor. He clutched his chest and tried to immediately stand back up but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Issei looked up through pain filled eyes to see the red hair of the girl he longed after so much.

"Issei…that's enough. Let's go home for now." Rias suggested kindly and pulled the boy to his feet and into her arms. "My silly, adorable pawn." Issei's pained expression turned to one of shock and then bliss. In the arms of the girl he loved, what more could the poor pervert want.

"Where was that fight when Riser tried to take her away?" I asked with a smug grin on my face. I want to see how far I can push him. I may be able to match Riser, maybe, but I know the red dragon can beat him. I just have to give him a reason.

"Varian, listen to me." Issei commanded as he freed himself from Rias's embrace and turned to face me. His expression was more serious than I'd ever thought possible for him. "You're the only one that is strong enough to beat Riser right now. So I want you to promise me that you will. Even if you don't want to be with Rias, that doesn't matter to me, the only thing that does is that I don't want that douchebag to get anywhere near her ever again. So you go and kill him and keep Rias safe from him okay?" Issei asked and smiled at me once he finished. He knows he can't win and goes so far as to ask someone else to keep the girl he loves safe…Issei you are more than anyone could ever expect.

"What if I gave you the chance to fight him and the power to beat him?" I asked smugly. This is the real test. If he is willing to fight an almost unbeatable force to save the girl he loves…

"I will take any chance to keep Rias safe and happy. She is my master after all." Issei said happily and smiled at the red head, who just looked at both of us in shock. Issei may not know the extent of Riser's power but I'm sure he felt the strength of his aura. If he'd fight that for Rias…he's more of a man than me.

"I'll give you that chance. Now go home Issei. You've done so much for me tonight, get some rest and let me handle everything." I told the boy and everyone looked at me in confusion.

"What did I do for you Lord Blackflame…I hit you. Shouldn't you kill me or something?" Issei asked in fear. Wow…he's really dumb isn't he? Doesn't he know that almost all devils are super nice and forgiving?

"You gave me a way out of this arrangement. I'll get you that chance, I just want you to promise me that you'll be strong enough once it comes." I told him and Issei nodded in response. He brought his plated glove over his chest and looked at me with determination.

"I promise I will do whatever I can to keep Rias safe. No matter what. Just give me the chance to show her." Issei declared and I smiled. I felt Aria shift a bit next to me and I finally noticed she had been clinging to my arm this entire time. She threw him really far...

"Issei, Rias, have a safe trip home. I'll talk to you two after the rating game, alright?" I told them and the two smiled and nodded. Well, Issei smiled, Rias just nodded awkwardly. She's probably still upset or confused or something. I don't know…girls…am I right?

The Gremory household left a few minutes later and left me with a room full of curious and on edge servant. Brittany was frowning at me, probably for agreeing to the rating game. Aria, Ashlen, Violet, and Seraphin were standing together and shifting around uncomfortably. Sara was standing by herself and just looking at me, I couldn't read her expression at all. And Jasmin, Amy, Tera, and Ella were standing together with caring eyes staring at me. They probably think something is wrong.

"Sorry about that girls, I don't know what happened. I hope you all aren't mad at me. I'll do my best to…" I trailed off when Brittany slapped me across the face. The sound echoed through the house as the other girls just looked at her in shock. I was looking at the floor and not at them so I didn't see it coming. It hurt really bad.

"Idiot! Don't you ever agree to something like this for our sake ever again! Do you understand? We would have been fine! You don't have to protect us so much! Now we have to fight and deal with even more of this engagement shit! Varian…just stop…I want to go home…" Brittany yelled but her voice eventually trailed off. She started to snuggle up to my chest and cry. Her tears splashed on the floor as she punched at my chest and sniffled.

"Brittany…I uh…I'm so sorry. I wish…I wish we could go home too. I don't want this, I never did. I want you girls out of danger. I want everything back to normal. Just us. Like it should be." I wrapped my arms around her as I confessed and I felt her loosen up. She stopped sniffling and held me tighter. I looked over her shoulders to look at the other girls and I noticed how misty eyed I was.

"Master…" Brittany whispered and nuzzled her head against my neck. I felt her lips press against me and I blushed. She's so sweet and soft and smart and caring. Why did I ever agree to this engagement? Why didn't I just say no and slam the door in Sirzech's face? Why didn't I ever say this before…

"I love you." I whispered and pulled Brittany a couple inches off my body so I could look into her eyes. Her mouth was open and she looked shocked and excited. I finally said it! "I love you so much. I love you all more than anything in the world. I'm gonna fix this and then we can leave. Everything is going to be okay. I swear." I declared. When I finished talking, I felt a soft hand run up my neck and watched Brittany lay her arms on my shoulders. I starred into her deep purple eyes and notice her lean forward.

"Oh Varian…I love you too." Brittany confessed. "I always have. Ever since you first walked through the Gremory Manor's front doors. I knew you were perfect even if you were young. I knew I was going to fall for you. You set me free and made me your Queen and gave me love and a home. That's all I ever wanted." She finished talking and kissed me. My hands traveled to the small of her back and worked their way down. Her butt was incredible in the tight jeans she had on.

I heard the other girls whimper in jealousy as Brittany and I continued kissing and holding each other. Well, except for Aria and Violet, they already had their episodes with me. But…they didn't feel the same as this. This felt a notch above that. At least it did to me. A notch above what though?

"Yaaa! Mommy and Daddy are happy and in love again." Amy cheered and Tera and Ella followed in her applause. Mommy and Daddy? This just got really weird. Brittany and I immediately let go of each other and looked away with deep blushes.

"Don't call us that." Brittany and I said at the same time. Why did we do that? That only furthers her point! Oh no!

"Why not? You two are the Mommy and Daddy and we're the kids." Tera said curiously. Really? How can they think that? I could never see myself as a father figure. Could this get any worse?

"I see him more as a big brother to be honest." Jasmin admitted and looked over at me with admiration in her piercing red eyes. Okay…that's even worse. Why does every harem have to have your little sister!? NO!

"I think I'm gonna go to bed now." I said quickly and made for the stairs. I have to make a plan for defeating and undefeatable super devil, not worry about how my harem views me! Seriously though…a big brother? I shuttered at the thought as I reached the top of the stairs.

"Do you guys see him as that?" Aria asked the other older girls. They all shook their heads and started laughing at the younger girls. Well…that's good at least.

"I see him as a lover. A lover I'd like to steal away from a certain girl." Seraphin said and winked at Brittany. The two girls locked eyes and glared at each other while I watched from the balcony. I don't think they've ever thought before…

"That's it!" I yelled and hopped over the railing. The girls all spun around and looked at me in shock. I just had the best idea ever!

"I know how we can train so that we can stand a chance against Riser! And we get to go home!" I announced and the girls all cheered. Tera and Ella ran through the group and both of them clung onto my waist.

"Do you really mean it Master?" Tera yelled in excitement. She probably misses being able to run around outside and do stuff freely.

"We really get to go home again?" Ella asked, her voice was less loud but still excited. I nodded at them both and they clung to me even more. I just laughed while the older girls starred daggers at me. Oh great…just what I need.

"Well why don't you five go get some sleep and I can tell you all in the morning on the way there?" I suggested and the five younger girls nodded in agreement. They raced up the stairs and ran into their respective rooms. I smiled happily before turning back to the five other girls in front of me, looking at me in confusion.

"I thought you all wanted to go home?" I teased and the girls smiled. The six of us walked into the living room so that I could explain my plan. I sat in the middle couch, of course, with Aria and Violet setting beside me and Brittany on my lap. I tried to tell her not to but she just wouldn't listen to me. Seraphin thought it would be best to stand against the wall and cross her arms and glare at us while the three girls fawned over me, which was not what I was expecting. And we were all waiting for Ashlen to bring some snacks. She makes really good tea and cookies.

"Here we are." The blonde sang happily and sat the plate of cookies and some cups of tea on the coffee table. We thanked the buxom blonde and started eating, the girls constantly peeking at me and waiting for me to start explaining.

"Are you going to leave us in suspense the whole night?" Brittany teased and lightly flicked my forehead from her position on my lap. Seriously, she's getting crumbs all over my favorite sweatpants! I smiled at my Queen before sighing and explaining my plan.

"I decided that we should all go home so that we can train for the rating game. When I saw Brittany and Seraphin glaring at each other, I had an idea. Why not have you girls train by fighting each other? That way you can learn how to fight different kinds of pieces and experience something somewhat similar to a rating game." I suggested and the girls looked back and forth in debate. After a few moments they all turned back to me with smiles and nods.

"That sounds wonderful Master! But I have a better idea…" Aria said meancingly and leaned over to whisper in Ashlen's ear. The blonde smiled and the two girls nodded in agreement before turning back to me with scary smiles. Why do I feel like this will have something to do with me and one of them?

"Why don't we make this a contest? We make brackets and whoever wins all the fights gets to be the Master's number one girl for a week? Sound fair?" Aria explained and the other girls nodded. Brittany and Violet applauded Aria's idea and she even bowed. "Thank you, thank you. I try my hardest." Aria said happily.

"But you are all my number ones. I can't just have one." I said quietly and the girls started laughing. I feel like I don't have any say in this. They already decided.

"What made you think your opinion mattered sweetie?" Violet teased and leaned her head on my shoulder. Of course. Next week is gonna suck isn't it? I sighed in defeat before pulling Brittany off me and standing up.

"I think it's time we all go to bed. We had a long day and I for one need some shut eye. I'll come up with a better plan for the rating game at some point. There are other variables we're going to have to overcome but I'm sure we'll find a solution. We always do right?" I asked and the girls nodded.

"Right!" They all cheered in unison. These girls are the best. Where would I be without them?

"Anything for the Master." Ashlen cheered and the others cheered again. I just blushed and smiled as I walked out of the room, leaving the five beauties by themselves. Why do I feel like I'll regret that when I wake up?

"Man I really am tired. I played basketball, showed off my household, made out with another person's Queen, picked a fight, and now I get to go home for a day. I really need some shut eye. Hopefully they don't come into my room too loudly tonight." I told myself as I climbed the stairs to the upper hallway. I yawned and placed my hand over my mouth as I walked up the spiral staircase to my room. What I saw in my room made my hand immediately shoot up to cover my sporadic nosebleed.

"Master, I can't sleep." A sleepy Sara complained as she rubbed her eyes and looked at me sleepily from her position on my bed. Wow. When did I buy her that outfit. The young blonde was wearing a short black night gown that stopped before it got midway down her stomach. It also didn't help that she was lying in a very unflattering fashion.

"Sara! What are you doing? When did you…how…what…uh?" My voice rose a few octaves as my brain scrambled to make sense of everything. Why is the twelve year old loli blonde in a seventeen year olds bed? And why is she wearing that outfit…?

"I can't sleep and I wanted to…to stay with you tonight. I'm just a little scared is all." She admitted and I sighed. Well…at least I can cuddle with someone tonight. I smiled at her before walking over to my dresser, grabbing some clothes, and walking into the bathroom to change.

"Ya! I actually get to sleep with the Master for once. I get to…be alone…" Sara whispered. I wonder if she wanted me to hear that? Probably not. She's too mean for that. I finished changing and brushing my teeth and exited the bathroom. I crossed the room and sat on the foot of my bed, next to my young blonde Pawn.

"What's wrong Sara?" I asked with a caring gaze in her direction. She just smiled, which is something I barely get to see, and scooted closer to me. I smiled and wrapped my arm around her. "You can tell me anything Pikachu." I teased and patted her head lightly. She blushed and snuggled up to me.

"I'm just worried about everything that has happened. We've been fighting so much and I just…I don't understand why it's happening. There have been times were I'm scared I lost my Master and…it hurts. I don't want to feel this way anymore. I want that stupid, cow-titted bimbo to go die so we can all go home and be alone again. I don't want you to get hurt anymore Master!" At that, Sara threw herself onto my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. She was sniffling and pushing herself against me like she thought I was going somewhere. I just sighed and rubbed her back. I'm the worst…

"Sara I'm so sorry. You don't have to worry about me sweetie, I'll figure it out and get us home safely. Rias isn't going to do anything else to us after this rating game. I'm going to beat Riser and get Rias to fall in love with Issei and go back to my life in seclusion with the ten most beautiful girls in the world. That's all I want. So don't cry anymore. Let's just go to sleep." I told her and she only tightened her grip. Why do I only make girls cry? They're never happy! Ever!

"Just…just don't get hurt anymore. And I don't mean in a fight! We all know where you went after Rias left you up here that day. We know what happened…how broken you were. We just need to go home." She went on and on and all I could do was hold her and listen. This was a completely new side to Sara. She's normally so cold; I never knew she had anything close to these feelings.

"Sara, I promise that I'll be strong and get us through this." I swore and held the pretty blonde out at on my lap. I pressed my lips against her forehead and ran my hand along her back. "It will just be you, me, and the others for the next eternity. I swear that nothing else bad will happen after this." I finished and Sara looked up at me with these longing and loving eyes. She looked slightly shocked and slightly happy.

"Kiss me Master…" She muttered and pushed up in a flash. The sudden movement forced me onto my back with the small girl on top of me, our lips locked. Our tongues never moved but we stayed there for what felt like eternity, which I wouldn't mind. Sara eventually rose off me and crawled up the bed and under the covers.

"Let's go to bed now." She said happily and patted the pillow. Wait…did she get rid of the five other pillows so we would have to use the same one? She loves me way more than she lets on. I smiled before climbing under the covers and cuddling up next to the young girl. She clung to me and fell asleep almost instantly.

"I will protect you. I will keep everyone of you girls safe. I swear." I told the sleeping girl and I swear she tightened her grip. Well…I should get fall asleep too. I've got a big day tomorrow. My eyes shut and I swear I heard the sound of other girls quietly giggling as I drifted into the land of sleep.